Tropical Gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbea)

Identification & Behavior: ~10.7 cm (4.2 in). The Tropical Gnatcatcher has gray upperparts and white to greyish underparts. The central tail feathers are black, while the outer feathers are white. It frequently cocks the tail. Several sub-species involved (See below).  P. p. bilineata: males have a contrasting black cap, a white face, and a black line behind the eye. Females have gray caps (same color as back) and a faint dark line behind the eye. P. p. maior: Males have a black cap that reaches just below the eye. Females have a contrasting black cap, white face, white forehead, and dark line behind the eye. Females maior are similar to males bilineata. P. p. parvirostris: males have a black cap that reaches just below the eye. (resembles female maior). Females are similar to males but have a gray cap. The similar Iquitos Gnatcatcher is all grey with no apparent sexual dimorphism.

Status: The Tropical Gnatcatcher involves several sub-species. P. p. biliniata is common in deciduous forest and scrub in northwest Peru generally below 1000 m. P. p. maior is often known as Marañon Gnatcatcher and is common in deciduous forest and scrub in the Marañon drainage to elevations reaching the 2500 m.  P.p. parvirostris uncommon in forest edges, varzea forests and foothill of the Andes up to 1000 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Perlita Tropical.

Sub-species: Tropical Gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbea) (Gmelin, JF, 1788).
P. p. bilineata West of Andes, to NW La Libertad. P. p. maior upper Marañón Valley (C Amazonas S through C & E Cajamarca, E Piura and E La Libertad) in NW Peru. P. p. parvirostris East of Andes in E Ecuador, N Peru (Loreto S to N San Martín) and NW Brazil.

Meaning of Name:  Polioptila: Gr. polios = gray, and ptilon= plumage. plumbea: L. plumbum, plumbeus, plumbea= lead, leaden, livid. A gray bird with the color of lead.

See more of the Family Poliotilidae